I welcome you all to my very first inaugural JAJ Sojourns Travel Photography Blog Post.
Seeing that I am ongoingly working on updating and editing alot of fun videos and images I have taken over time whilst travelling through Japan over the years and that the most recent one I was working through was my fun visit to beautiful Odawara Castle (小田原城, Odawara-jō) whilst I had been travelling on my Haru 春(Spring) Sojourn in 2018 and especially as it was on that day the 2nd of April it was gorgeously surrounded by lovely Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Trees during Hanami (花見, "flower viewing") I decided 小田原城, Odawara-jō would be the theme subject for this first blog post.
Photograph below of mwah standing underneath a lovely Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Tree at beautiful Odawara Castle (小田原城, Odawara-jō) during Hanami (花見, "flower viewing")
Here is a compilation vid I created out of a few snippet vids I captured from when I arrived by Shinkansen in Odawara and along the way to and when I arrived at Odawara Castle (小田原城, Odawara-jō).
This following gallery showcases some of my captures from my day at Odawara Castle (小田原城, Odawara-jō) both exterior and interior. The individual images expand for a more close up view when you click on them.
Here also is a link to the featured Album for "Odawara Castle (小田原城, Odawara-jō)" and this album includes many more of my captures from my day there including the ones featured below, and the album opens up in it's own separate page for easy viewing and once again when you click on the images they take you to the images and also the accompanying storyline explanations that are included on some images and then you can click to expand the image if you choose to do so right up to full screen viewing. https://www.haru-odawara.jajsojourns.com/
Note: All of these various "Japanese Castle Albums" I have created and are continuing to create to feature on my site can be viewed as individual pages offsite as they have their own web presence and URL. Enjoy!!
About "Odawara Castle (小田原城, Odawara-jō)"
Odawara Castle was built in the 15th century by Daimyo Hojo Soun. It was demolished by the Meji government in the 19th century.
It was rebuilt in 1960 and today the 5-story castle sits on the top of a hill that overlooks Odawara.
Inside the castle Keep there are exhibits on the history of the building as well as exhibitions of armor and swords.
The top floor of the Keep offers a beautiful panoramic view of the park and the surrounding city.
The castle is also famous for its cherry blossoms and many other flowers, including plum blossoms, azaleas, hydrangeas and lotus blossoms. There is a ninja museum on the castle grounds as well as a small samurai museum.
Odawara Station
(小田原駅, Odawara-eki) is a junction and interchange railway station located in the city of Odawara, Kanagawa, Japan, operated jointly by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and Central Japan Railway Company (JR Tōkai).
It is a gateway station to the Hakone area. It is also a freight depot for the Japan Freight Railway Company.
Odawara Castle Town
Is located between the Hakone Mountains and Pacific Ocean.
The easy access and plentiful activities make Odawara a destination for you to experience the food, culture, and people of Japan. Not too big, not too small, and packed with places and people to discover.
Samurai Fun at Odawara Castle (小田原城, Odawara-jō)
I went to what I thought at first was just a Samurai exhibit but as it turned out it was also where you could dress up as a Samurai Warrior, Ninja or in Edo Period Kimono so of course I chose a Samurai Warrior costume and even more funnier I thought it was just for a photo opportunity but you could walk around the Castle grounds for a 1/2 hour dressed in costume , so I did that and anyway I had a blast of a time and loved each and every moment, it was sooo fun.
Here is a gallery of fun shots a nice Japanese guy who I befriended (who was a dressed up as a Ninja) kindly took of me and also some of my own..
Below is also a fun vid that I captured when I was walking around in my Samurai Warrior Costume, which was sooo fun!
How to get to "Odawara Castle (小田原城, Odawara-jō)"
Odawara Castle is located about a ten minute walk from Odawara Station's East Exit along Ohoribata Street.
Address Kanagawa, Odawara, Jonai 6-1 [ Google Maps ]
Nearest Station - JR, Odakyu, Hakone Tozan Railway, or Izuhakone Railway at Odawara Station (OH47)
Location - 10 minute walk from the JR, Odakyu, Hakone Tozan Railway, or Izuhakone Railway lines at Odawara Station (OH47)Take the Hakone Tozan Railway at Hakone-Yumoto Station (OH51) bound for Odawara Station, exit at Odawara Station (OH47) (15 minutes), then walk for 10 minutes
Odawara Castle Official Website Note that Information may be in Japanese but you can use the pop up google translater like I do. https://odawaracastle.com/
References and other info on and about Odawara Castle